On Sept. 25, 2012, Leslie “Spencer” Wegener passed away at Bluffs in Columbia, at the age of 86, after a few weeks of hospice care.

Services were held at Memorial Funeral Home on Friday with a visitation at 2 p.m. and memorial service at 3:30 p.m.

Spencer was born on April 17, 1926, to Leslie Harrison and Mary Powell Wegener in Columbia. Spencer was educated at Carter School and attended Hickman High School where he graduated in 1943. In the fall of the same year he was drafted into the U.S. Army taking basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, and then sent by troop ship to the Philippines Islands. While in the Philippines he served with 32nd Infantry on Luzon Island, returning by way of Japan after the end of World War II. After returning to Boone County Spencer enrolled in the University of Missouri, Columbia campus.

In 1951 Spencer graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with an emphasis in Soils. After graduation Spencer began his 61 year career as a farmer, first farming with his dad then with two partners. He spent countless hours tilling, seeding, and spraying and harvesting crops on both his home farm as well as a few thousand acres in Howard County. Spencer was very passionate about soil conservation and did many erosion control projects on his loved home farm.

While living in the Woodlandville area Spencer served on the Midway School Board, The Boone County Farm Service Agency Board, and the Callahan Creek Watershed Board. Spencer was an active participant in the Woodlandville United Methodist Church where he taught the adult Sunday school class for about 20 years.

On Aug. 1, 1953, Spencer was married to Shirley Semon at the Woodlandville United Methodist Church. To this marriage were born two sons: Leslie Alan and William Spencer.

Spencer is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Wegener; two sons Leslie Alan (Colleen) Wegener and William “Bill” Spencer Wegener; three grandchildren Duane Spencer Wegener, Carl Harrison Wegener, and Holly May Wegener.

Spencer was preceded in death by both his parents, his sister, Leah Couick of Boonville and daughter-in-law, Beverly Wegener of Midway, Mo.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Woodlandville United Methodist Church in care of Lisa Scott 5701 West Wilhite Road, Columbia MO 65202.